City have notched up their third away win from four today against a struggling West Ham side. Pre-match sceptics pointing at City's record without Tevez will have been disappointed, as an attacking quartet - led by the inspired Yaya Toure - put three goals away.
In a nod to City's recent successes, Mancini preferred Jo to Adam Johnson on the left as he sought to keep the balance of the formation that has seen City producing such free-flowing football since our last trip to London to face Fulham. The front four of Yaya Toure, David Silva, Jo and Mario Balotelli had free reign of the pitch and their constant movement in the opening stages made it hard for the Hammers' defence to get near them. Jo is the sort of player who can play anywhere across the front three and, in Balotelli's normal role, he caused a number of problems early on. With the success this fluidity is bringing to the team, you have to wonder what kind of opportunities will be reserved for wingers like Adam Johnson.
Yaya gave an interview in the week outlining what a learning curve it has been for him since he has joined City and how he is now feeling he is getting used to the league and his more advanced role. This has certainly showed in the last three games he has been involved in - Fulham, Bolton and today. After not being one hundred per cent convincing in the earlier stages of the season, he now seems an integral part of the team and is beginning to dictate the play more. You get the feeling that the growing influence of Yaya and David Silva in the past month or so has played a big part in our increasingly stylish football.
The front four's success is made all the more comfortable by the consistently high quality of performances from players like Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong - who were both outstanding again today. It must be a relief to the front four that there is such a reliable base behind them. Whereas pre-Fulham, Tevez quite often cut a lonely, isolated figure upfront, City now have players dashing forward to support in attack - and this can only be done with confidence in the defence (although it was decidedly woeful for West Ham's consolation goal!).
West Ham improved in the second half, getting closer to City's players, but when an otherwise impressive Tomkins showed Yaya the way to goal, the game was as good as over. Silva's exquisite pass to Johnson just served to show that there are goals in a team that is growing as a group, regardless of whether our Argentine captain is on the field or not.
Perhaps the only disappointment was Mario Balotelli, who was getting more and more frustrated to the point where he threw his gloves off and headed down the tunnel on being substituted. Mancini was right to withdraw him as the petulant side of his game threatened to take over, and Roberto is one of the most experienced in the world at dealing with our young Italian striker. To any fearing that Balotelli will be getting an easy ride with Mancini, this was a sign that Super Mario won't be getting it all his own way.
City looked comfortable and within themselves today, and the brand of football that we are starting to show on a regular basis is very promising. With City joint top and everything starting to click together, things are looking up in the run in to Christmas!
My man of the match: Yaya Toure
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